Unit for setting function of displayed menu

ABSTRACT

A unit for setting function of displayed menu comprises a means for displaying menu selection to operate the choosing and displaying operation independently which display, all the menus belonging to the chosen group that is a one chosen among the plurality of divided menu arranged on a menu display screen of said display, on the same screen page of the display, means for setting functional condition to choose and set one of the plurality of functional particulars displayed on the display by the means for displaying menu selection, being provided proximity to the periphery of the menu display screen of the display, the means for setting functional condition also choosing and setting one of the plurality of functional particulars of menu that displayed on the display correspondingly to the chosen and designated functional particular, and means for displaying operational condition which is provided proximity to the periphery of the menu display screen, to display plurality of the functional condition values which corresponding to the functional particulars that chosen and designated by the means for setting functional condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a unit for setting function of displayed menu which is assembled in an electronic apparatus such as an imaging device to be used, and made to set an operating condition on functional particulars of the menu which is displayed on a display of the electric apparatus.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In a digital camera, in order to photograph an image that a photographer wishes to take, it is necessary to set a function of photograph in the optimum manner regarding various photo-functional particulars such as an aperture diaphragm, shutter speed, amount of flash light, focus. Simultaneously, necessary settings for using of function are also done regarding various using functional particulars like date and hour setting, LCD brightness setting.

[0005] The photo-functional particulars have, other than the aforementioned functional particulars, settings like exposure adjustment, white balance, sharpness, photometry method, long time exposure, ISO sensitivity. The using functional particulars have, also, other than the using functional particulars aforementioned, energy saving setting, format, auto power-off time setting, setting for buzzer, setting for the time of image confirming, LCD colour adjusting, language selection, video type selection, etc.

[0006] In the digital camera it is needed to take a photogenic subject by setting a functional condition regarding these photo-functional conditions and using functional particulars, respectively.

[0007] In a conventional digital camera, several photo-functional particulars and using functional particulars like the aforementioned settings are divided into multiple groups, and menus of respective groups that are divided are displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD display) in such a manner as to be able to change over every a screen.

[0008] That is to say, when a menu of respective groups is displayed on the screen, the other menu is not displayed. This menu that is not displayed is displayed by changing over the screen.

[0009] Additionally, in the conventional digital camera, a plurality of tabs are arranged along the periphery of the LCD screen to selectively display the menu of groups that are divided. For example, it is constituted that when selecting one of the groups by a first tab, only the functional particulars included in chosen group is displayed on the LCD display as a menu in arrangement order, and functional particulars that are not displayed initially are sequentially displayed on the LCD display by controlling a select key to perform a scrolling operation.

[0010] However, in the conventional digital camera, because it is adapted to change over the display of LCD from a menu-display of a first group to a menu-display of, for example, a second group by selecting the respective tabs, when operating a second tab, it is necessary to bring back a currently displayed cursor position of LCD display by scrolling operation to the position of the first tab where the group of the functional particulars belongs to. The second tab cannot be operated unless the cursor is brought back to the first tab.

[0011] Therefore, if the cursor is located at the last functional particular in the arrangement order of the first group on the current LCD display, it is necessary to move the cursor by long scrolling to the position of the first tab, the operation places an operational burden on operator, as well as taking a long time to operate the second tab from current status, there is a drawback that the digital camera unable to setting the asked-for photographing function and the using function efficiently.

SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above mentioned circumstances regarding the setting of the photographing functions and the using functions on a digital camera, and it is an object of the invention to provide a unit for setting function of displayed menu capable of setting the requested functional condition values for various functional particulars of an electronic apparatus based on a displayed menu of a display, efficiently and in a simple method without making a mistake.

[0013] To achieve the above mentioned object, according to the present invention, a plurality of selection menus of respective groups are displayed on a single screen in a block, and respective selection menus are displayed by changing over of each screen or by scrolling the screen.

[0014] According to the composition of the present invention, a unit for setting function of displayed menu is set in the electronic device to be used, the menu of functional particulars of the electronic device is displayed on the electronic device, and the unit is adapted to set the functional condition values corresponding to the functional particular chosen from the displayed menu.

[0015] The unit comprises a means for displaying menu selection to operate the choosing and displaying operations which display, all the menus belong to the chosen group that is one chosen among the plurality of divided menus arranged along the periphery of a menu display screen of the display, on the same screen page of the display in such a manner as to independently and freely conduct in a first direction, means for setting functional condition to choose and set the one of the plurality of the functional particulars displayed on said display by said means for displaying menu selection in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, is provided proximity to the periphery of the menu display screen of the display, the means for setting functional condition also choose and set one of the plurality of the functional particulars of menu displayed on said display correspondingly to the chosen and designated functional particular in a direction perpendicular to said first direction, means for displaying operational condition to display the plurality of functional condition values corresponding to the functional particulars that chosen and designated by the means for setting functional condition.

[0016] The means for displaying operational condition is provided proximity to the periphery of the menu display screen.

[0017] According to such a unit for setting function of displayed menu, one of the displayed selections of the menu divided in the plurality of groups which are arranged along the periphery of the menu display screen of the display is chosen by the means for displaying menu selection which carry out to the first direction independently and freely, thereby all the menus belongs to the chosen group are displayed on the same screen of the display.

[0018] Subsequently, one of the plurality of functional particulars constituting the menu displayed on the display by the mean for displaying menu selection, is chosen and designated in the direction perpendicular to the first direction by the means for setting functional condition provided proximity to the periphery of a menu display surface of the display. Thereby, the plurality of functional condition value corresponding to the chosen and designated functional particulars are displayed on the display by the means for displaying the operational condition located proximity to the periphery of the menu display screen.

[0019] Then, one of the plurality of functional condition values displayed on the display is chosen and designated in the direction perpendicular to the first direction by the means for setting operational condition, thereby setting on the functional condition that chosen and designated is ultimately conducted.

[0020] In this way, even in the case of a process of choosing and designating operation which is operated by the means for setting the functional condition corresponding to the plurality of functional particulars displayed on the display, or a process of displaying operation by the means for displaying operational condition of functional condition value corresponding to the functional particular which is chosen and designated, the choosing and displaying on plurality of menu groups by the means for displaying menu selection are conducted freely independent to those operations, so that the operator can avoid an operation mistake, in efficient manner with reduced time for the operation, and can be setting the requested, appropriate functional condition value.

[0021] In one embodiment, the means for displaying menu selection is arranged along the upper periphery of the menu display screen in a horizontal direction and the means for setting functional condition is provided proximity to the lower periphery of said menu display screen.

[0022] Additionally, in one embodiment, the electronic device is the imaging device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram to show an indication of a display when a first operation on displaying menu selection is operating according to one of an example of the embodiment related to the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram to show the indication of the display when a second operation on displaying menu selection is operating according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram to show the indication of the display when a third operation on displaying menu selection is operating according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram to show the indication of the display when an operation on choosing a first functional particular is operating soon after the second operation on displaying menu selection according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram to show the indication of the display when an operation on choosing a second functional particular is operating soon after the second operation on displaying menu selection according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram to show the indication of the display when an operation on choosing a third functional particular is operating soon after the second operation on displaying menu selection according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0029]FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram to show the indication of the display when an operation on choosing a fourth functional particular is operating soon after the second operation on displaying menu selection according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram to show the indication of the display when a plurality of operational condition corresponding to the forth functional particular on the screen of FIG. 7 are in displaying operation.

[0031]FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram to show the indication of the display when the functional condition value for the screen shown in FIG. 8 is chosen and set as one second.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] One embodiment of the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Here, the electronic apparatus is supposed to be a digital camera.

[0034] The present embodiment that is set in the digital camera to be used as shown in FIGS. 1-3 is composed of a display 3 which on the occasion of an imaging operation, various photo-functional particulars, using functional particulars and corresponding plurality of functional condition values which are to be set to the digital camera are displayed, and a operating panel 20 which is connected to said display 3 for operating a setting of requested functional condition values on the photo-functional particulars and the using functional particulars.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the display menu comprised of the photo-functional particulars, the using functional particulars and the functional condition values, are divided into 3 groups which are a first menu, a second menu and a third menu, and on the display 3 there is provided a menu display screen 2 to display these menus capable of change over. Along the upper periphery of the menu display screen page 2, tabs 1 a-1 c are arranged which are respectively selecting the first menu to the third menu.

[0036] Furthermore, there is provided the operating panel 20 with a left-right key 16 that includes a left key 16 a and a right key 16 b to choose and designate operation of the tabs 1 a-1 c, an up-down key 15 that includes an up key 15 a and a down key 15 b to choose and designate the photo-functional particulars, the using functional particulars and the functional condition values which are displayed on the menu display screen 2, and an OK key 17 to setting and determine the selection and determination of both the left-right key 16 and the up-down key 15 and to choose and set the displayed functional condition value.

[0037] The present embodiment of such composition and its operation on selecting and displaying will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

[0038] In FIG. 1, if the choosing and displaying setting of a tab 1 is conducted with using the cursor to select and designate the tab 1 a by operating the left-right key 16, there are displayed on the menu display screen 2 as shown in FIG. 1 the functional particulars related to menu of the first group and corresponding current functional condition values.

[0039] The menu on the first group in this instance is comprised of a functional particular 7 a indicating “exposure adjustment” and corresponding functional condition value 8 a indicating “0.0”, functional particular 7 b indicating “white balance” and corresponding functional condition value 8 b indicating “trait figure”, functional particular 7 c indicating “focus” and corresponding functional condition value 6 c indicating “AF”, functional particular 7 d indicating “ISO sensitivity” and corresponding functional condition value 8 d indicating “AUTO” and functional particular 7 e indicating “photometry method” and corresponding functional condition value 8 e indicating “multi”.

[0040] In this way, all the menus of the first group are displayed on the same screen, and the new functional particulars with the functional condition values of the first group is not displayed on the menu display screen 2 even if the up-down key 15 is operated to scroll.

[0041] Similarly in FIG. 2, if the choosing and displaying setting of a tab 2 is conducted with using the cursor to select and designate the tab 1 b by operating the left-right key 16, there are displayed the functional particulars related to menu of the second group and corresponding current functional condition values on the menu display screen 2 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0042] The menu on the second group in this instance is comprised of a functional particular 10 a indicating the “image size” and corresponding functional condition value 11 a indicating “2048”, a functional particular 10 b indicating the “image quality” and corresponding functional condition value 11 b indicating “F”, a functional particular 10 c indicating the “sharpness” and corresponding functional condition value 11 c indicating “normal”, a functional particular 10 d indicating “long time exposure” and corresponding functional condition value 11 d indicating “OFF” and a functional particular 10 e indicating “auto bracket” and corresponding functional condition value 11 e indicating “OFF”.

[0043] All the menus of the second group are also displayed on the same screen page, and the new functional particulars with functional condition values of the first group is not displayed on the menu display screen 2 even if the up-down key 15 is operated to scroll.

[0044] Similarly in FIG. 3, if the choosing and displaying setting of a tab 3 is conducted with using the cursor to select and designate the tab 1 c by operating the left-right key 16, there are displayed the functional particulars related to menu of the third group and corresponding current functional condition values on the menu display screen 2 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0045] The menu on the third group in this instance is comprised of a functional particular 12 a indicating the “continuous shooting” and corresponding functional condition value 13 a indicating “OFF”, a functional particular 12 b indicating the “shooting with voice” and corresponding functional condition value 13 b indicating “OFF”, and a functional particular 12 c indicating “date insertion” and corresponding functional condition value 13 c indicating “OFF”.

[0046] All the menus of the third group are also displayed on the same screen, and the new functional particulars with functional condition values of the third group is not displayed on the menu display screen 2 even if the up-down key 15 is operated to scroll.

[0047] Next, the present embodiment regarding the choosing operation of the functional particulars will be described with reference to FIGS. 4-7.

[0048] In FIG. 4, as is already described with reference to FIG. 2, the setting on choosing and displaying of the tab 2 is conducted with using the cursor to choose and designate the tab 1 b by operating the left-right key 16. There are displayed on the menu display screen 2 the functional condition of menu related to the second group and its corresponding current functional condition values, and the cursor for choosing the functional particulars is located on the functional particular 10 a indicating the “image size” which is an original position, and its corresponding functional condition value 11 a indicating “2048”.

[0049] In this situation, in order to choose the functional particular 10 a indicating the “image size”, when the setting on choosing of the functional particular 10 a is conducted by operating the OK key 17, the selection of the functional particular 10 a of menu related to the second group is determined.

[0050] In a case of choosing a second functional particular as indicated in FIG. 5, when the setting on choosing related to the functional particular 10 b is conducted prior to the circumstance that setting on choosing and operating of the functional particular 10 a which is the first functional particular as shown in FIG. 4, by operating the down key 15 b of the up-down key 15 b for moving the cursor of choosing the functional particulars to the position associated to the functional particular 10 b indicating the “image quality” and corresponding functional condition value 11 b indicating “F”, the selection of the functional particular 10 b of menu related to the second group is determined Moreover, in a case of choosing a third functional particular as indicated in FIG. 6, when the setting on choosing related to the functional particular 10 c is conducted prior to the circumstance that setting on choosing and operating of the functional particular 10 a which is the first functional particular as shown in FIG. 4, by operating the down key 15 b of the up-down key 15 b for moving the cursor of choosing the functional particulars to the position associated to the functional particular 10 c indicating the “sharpness” and corresponding functional condition value 11 c indicating “normal”, the selection of the functional particular 10 c of menu related to the second group is determined

[0051] Furthermore, in a case of choosing a forth functional particular as indicated in FIG. 7, when the setting on choosing related to the functional particular 10 d is conducted prior to the circumstance that setting on choosing and operating of the functional particular 10 a which is the first functional particular as shown in FIG. 4, by operating the down key 15 b of the up-down key 15 b for moving the cursor of choosing the functional particular to the position associated to the functional particular 10 d indicating the “long time exposure” and corresponding functional condition value 11 d indicating “OFF”, the selection of the functional particular 10 d of menu related to the second group is determined

[0052] Next, operating of setting functional condition regarding the present embodiment will be described, which is in such a circumstance for choosing and setting a functional condition related to four functional particulars with reference to the FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0053] On an occasion of displaying an operational condition as shown in FIG. 8, functional condition values 14 a-14 e respectively indicating “OFF”, “1 second”, “2 seconds”, “3 seconds”, “4 seconds” which are corresponding to the functional particular 10 d that the setting of selecting has already determined, are displayed on the menu display screen 2 as shown in FIG. 8, by operating the OK key 17 after the determination of setting on choosing of the functional particular 10 d, which indicates “long time exposure” as explained with a reference to FIG. 7.

[0054] In this state, if the operator moves the cursor to the position of functional condition value 12 b which indicating “1 second” by operating the up key 15 a of the up-down key 15, the setting on choosing of the functional condition value 14 d indicating “1 second” corresponding to the functional particular 10 d which indicating “long time exposure” is determined, thereby as shown in FIG. 9, there is displayed on the menu display screen 2 the functional condition value 14 d indicating “1 second” for the functional particular 10 d which indicating “long time exposure” that has been chosen and set.

[0055] According to the present embodiment as described above, whichever of the menus divided into 3 groups from the functional particulars of the digital camera is displayed on the menu display screen 2 of the display 3 by designating the tabs 1 a-1 c using the left-right key 15, and the setting on functional condition values is conducted corresponding to the chosen functional particular from the displayed menu.

[0056] In this instance, in the following process: choosing and designating operation which is operated by the operation of the up-down key 15 corresponding to the functional particulars 7 a-7 e, 10 a-10 e and 12 a-12 c of group of menu chosen and displayed on the display 3, choosing and designating operation of the functional particulars by operation of the OK key 17, displaying operation of the functional condition values 14 a-14 e by operation of the OK key 17 corresponding to the functional particulars which are chosen and designated, choosing and designating operation by the up-down key 15 for the functional condition values which have been displayed, and designating operation by the OK key 17 corresponding to the functional condition values which are chosen and designated, it is possible to choose the tabs 1 a-1 c independently and arbitrary by operation of the left-right key 16. On the menu display screen 2 the menu of the group that is chosen will be displayed soon after the tabs 1 a-1 c have been chosen.

[0057] According to the present embodiment as described above, even in the case of a process of choosing and designating operation which is operated by the operation of the up-down key 15 corresponding to the plurality of functional particulars 7 a-7 e, 10 a-10 e and 12 a-12 c displayed on the display 3, a process of designating operation of the functional condition value 14 a-14 e corresponding to the functional particular 10 d which is chosen and designated, or a process of one of choosing and designating among the functional conditional values 14 a-14 e which are displayed, it is possible to choose the tabs 1 a-1 c freely by operation of the left-right key 16 independent to these operating process. As the tabs 1 a-1 c are chosen, the menu choose from the group of menu is conducted to the menu display screen 2 at once in place of current screen. So, the operator can avoid an operation mistake, in efficient manner with reduced time for the operation, and can setting the requested, appropriate functional condition value in short time, by an easy way of operation, which is only operating the up-down key 15 and the OK key 17 to the particulars on various imaging and camera usage the digital camera has.

[0058] While it has been described in the present embodiment that the case in which the electronic device for object to be applied is the digital camera, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it is applicable to copying machines or various system devices.

[0059] In accordance with the present invention, the unit is set in the electronic device to be used, the menu on the functional particulars of the electronic device is displayed on the display of the electronic device, and the setting on functional condition values are made to the functional particulars chosen from the displayed menu. In this case, in the first place, one of the displayed selections of the menu divided in the plurality of groups which are arranged along the periphery of the menu display screen of the display is chosen by a means for displaying menu selection which carry out to a first direction independently and freely, thereby all the menus belongs to the chosen group are displayed on the same screen of the display.

[0060] In the second place, one of the plurality of functional particulars constituting the menu displayed on the display by the means for displaying menu selection, is chosen and designated in a direction perpendicular to the first direction by a means for setting functional condition that provided proximity to the periphery of a menu display surface of the display. Thereby plurality of the functional condition value corresponding to the chosen and designated functional particulars are displayed on the display by a means for displaying operational condition that provided proximity to the periphery of the menu display screen.

[0061] Then, one of the plurality of functional condition values displayed on the display is chosen and designated in a direction perpendicular to the first direction by the means for setting functional condition, thereby setting on the functional condition chosen and designated is ultimately conducted.

[0062] Herewith, according to the present embodiment, even in the case of a process of choosing and designating operation which is operated by the means for setting functional condition corresponding to the plurality of functional particulars displayed on the display, or a process of displaying operation by the means for displaying the operational condition of functional condition value corresponding to the functional particular which is chosen and designated, the choosing and displaying on plurality of menu groups by the means for displaying menu selection is conducted freely in independent to those operations, so that the operator can avoid an operation mistake, in efficient manner with reduced time for the operation, and can setting the requested, appropriate functional condition value. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A unit for setting function of displayed menu which is set in an electronic device, the menu on functional particulars of the electronic device being displayed on said electronic device, for setting the functional condition values corresponding to the functional particular chosen from the displayed menu, comprising, means for displaying menu selection to operate the choosing and displaying operation independently which display, all the menus belonging to the chosen group that is a one chosen among the plurality of divided menu arranged on a menu display screen of said display, on the same screen page of said display, means for setting functional condition to choose and set one of the plurality of functional particulars displayed on said display by said means for displaying menu selection, being provided proximity to the periphery of the menu display screen of said display, said means for setting functional condition also choosing and setting one of the plurality of functional particulars of menu that is displayed on said display correspondingly to the chosen and designated functional particular, and means for displaying operational condition to display plurality of functional condition values which corresponding to the functional particulars that are chosen and designated by said means for setting functional condition, said means for displaying operational condition being provided proximity to the periphery of said menu display screen.
 2. The unit for setting function of displayed menu according to claim 1, wherein; said means for displaying menu selection is arranged along the upper periphery of the menu display screen in a direction horizontally, and said means for setting functional condition is provided proximity to the lower periphery of said menu display screen.
 3. The unit for setting function of displayed menu according to claim 1, wherein; said electronic device is an imaging device. 